Ceiling wire clamp device and method

ABSTRACT

A ceiling wire clamp device secures ceiling wire in place in a suspended ceiling system without the need for twisting and/or overlapping the wires. The device comprises a pair of jaws, which may be lined with teeth, that grasp and hold ceiling wire in place when the device is in a closed and locked position. The device may be pinched closed. A tab inserted through a slot on the device assists in locking the device in the closed position. A pin may be used to optimize the overall alignment of the device when in the closed and locked position. The device may be opened using a screwdriver or the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ceiling wire used to positionsuspended ceilings and methods therefor and, more particularly, to aclamp that grasps and holds the ceiling wire in place without the needfor twisting and overlapping the ceiling wire onto itself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Suspended ceilings, also known as acoustical ceilings or droppedceilings, are secondary ceilings that are commonly used in bothresidential and commercial construction. A typical suspended ceilingconsists of metal, T-shaped grids that may house such things asindividual ceiling tiles or panels, light fixtures, speaker boxes, etc.The metal grids are usually suspended from the primary ceiling's joistswith wires. One end of each wire is secured to a joist and the other endof each wire is secured to the metal grid. In the prior art, the wiresare secured in place by twisting and overlapping the ends of each wireonto itself.

The prior art method of securing the wires in place has severallimitations. For example, twisting the ends of the wires requires acertain amount of strength, and may require the use of tools. Further,the wires must be properly aligned so that the metal grids are suspendedon a level plane when all of the wires are in place. When this processis performed using the prior art method of twisting and overlapping thewire, it can be time-consuming, especially when it becomes necessary tomake adjustments to individual wires.

A need therefore exists for a device and method for grasping and holdingceiling wire in place, that does not require twisting and overlappingthe ends of the wire onto itself, and that substantially reduces thetime required to install a suspended ceiling.

The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other, related,advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a ceilingwire clamp device is disclosed. The device comprises, in combination:first and second jaws opposably attached to one another at an attachmentpoint at a first end of the clamp device and adapted to grasp ceilingwire positioned therebetween, wherein the first jaw and second jaw aremovable between a first open position and a second closed position;ceiling wire grasping members located on an inner surface of at leastone of the first and second jaws; and a fastener capable of securing thefirst and second jaws in the closed position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, aceiling wire clamp device is disclosed. The device comprises, incombination: first and second jaws opposably attached to one another insubstantially a V-shape at an attachment point at a first end of theclamp device and adapted lo grasp ceiling wire positioned therebetween,wherein the first jaw and second jaw are movable between a first openposition and a second closed position, the first jaw has a firstsubstantially flat and elongated region and a second generally J-shapedregion, and the second jaw has a first substantially flat and elongatedregion and a second generally reverse J-shaped region; grasping meanscomprising a plurality of teeth protruding from an inner surface of thefirst and second jaws, whereby ceiling wire may be held in positionbetween the first and second jaws; and fastening means comprising a tabprotruding from an outer surface of the first jaw, wherein the tab isadapted to be inserted through a slot in the second jaw, whereby thejaws may be secured in the closed position.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod for securing ceiling wire in a suspended ceiling system isdisclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a ceiling wireclamp device comprising, in combination, first and second jaws opposablyattached to one another at an attachment point at a first end of theclamp device and adapted to grasp ceiling wire positioned therebetween,wherein the first jaw and second jaw are movable between a first openposition and a second closed position, grasping means whereby ceilingwire may be held in position between the first and second jaws, andfastening means whereby the jaws may be secured in the closed position;positioning ceiling wire between the first and second jaws; and securingthe clamp device in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art suspended ceiling system.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of the suspended ceilingsystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ceiling wire clamp device in positionon ceiling wire of a suspended ceiling system, consistent with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ceiling wire clamp device, consistentwith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the ceiling wire clamp device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the ceiling wire clamp device of FIG. 3, in aclosed position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the ceiling wire clamp device of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the ceiling wire clamp device of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a prior art suspended ceiling system 10 isshown. The system 10 includes a metal grid 12 suspended from joists 14with wires 16. A first end 21 of each wire 16 is inserted through aneyelet 18 attached to each joist 14. The first end 21 of each wire 16 issecured to each eyelet 18 by twisting and/or overlapping the first end21 onto the wire 16, forming a first overlapping region 22. A second end23 of each wire 16 is secured to the metal grid 12 by inserting thesecond end 23 of each wire 16 through a predrilled hole 20 in the metalgrid 12 and then twisting and/or overlapping the second end 23 onto thewire 16, forming a second overlapping region 24, as best seen in FIG.1A.

An embodiment of a ceiling wire clamp device 30 consistent with anembodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2-7. The presentinvention eliminates the need for twisting and/or overlapping the firstend 21 and second end 23 of the wire 16, as required in the prior artsuspended ceiling system 10 discussed above. Referring first to FIG. 3,the ceiling wire clamp device 30 in this embodiment comprises a pair ofjaws, a first jaw 32 and a second jaw 34, each having an outer surface33 and an inner surface 35. The jaws 32 and 34 may comprise a one-pieceassembly, forming substantially a V-shape at a first end 36 of theceiling wire clamp device 30. Jaw 32 may further include slots 40 and48. A portion of each of the jaws 32 and 34 curves outward and then backinward, forming generally J-shaped region 42 and generally reverseJ-shaped region 44, each of which terminate at a second end 50 of theceiling wire clamp device 30. J-shaped region 42 includes slot 48.Reverse J-shaped region 44 includes a tab 46 that protrudes from theouter surface 33 of jaw 34 and is adapted to be inserted through slot48.

With respect to the surfaces 33 and 35 of the jaws 32 and 34,preferably, the outer surface 33 may be generally smooth. At least oneand preferably both inner surfaces 35 preferably contains a plurality ofteeth 38, as shown in FIGS. 3-5. As shown in this embodiment, the teeth38 are not present on the portion of the inner surface 35 that extendsinto the J-shaped region 42 or the reverse J-shaped region 44.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the ceiling wire clamp device 30 isshown in both an open position (FIG. 4) and a closed and locked position(FIG. 5). Referring to FIG. 4, the ceiling wire clamp device 30 is shownin an open position with wire 16 and the second end 23 of the wire 16depicted between jaws 32 and 34. Referring to FIG. 5, the ceiling wireclamp device 30 is shown in a closed and locked position in which thewire 16 and the second end 23 of the wire 16 are grasped in place byteeth 3 8 between jaws 32 and 34. As best seen in FIG. 5, the teeth 38on jaw 32 may be offset compared with those on jaw 34 so that the teeth38 may form an interlocking arrangement when the ceiling wire clampdevice 30 is in the closed and locked position. In the embodiment shownin FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner surface 35 of jaw 34 further comprises a pin39 adapted to be inserted through slot 40 in jaw 32. The arrangement ofthe pin 39 inserted through slot 40 optimizes the overall alignment ofthe ceiling wire clamp device 30 when it is in the closed and lockedposition (as seen in FIG. 5). While this embodiment shows one pin 39 andone slot 40, it may be desired to provide a ceiling wire clamp device 30in which more than one pin 39 and slot 40 are utilized to furtheroptimize the overall alignment of the ceiling wire clamp device 30. Itmay also be desired to provide a ceiling wire clamp device 30 in whichthe pin 39 and slot 40 are omitted.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the ceiling wire clamp device 30 is shown inposition on a portion of a suspended ceiling system. As shown in FIG. 2,the ceiling wire clamp device 30 is preferably attached to the wire 16in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the wire 16. Ina complete suspended ceiling system in which the present invention isemployed (not shown), it would be preferred to use two ceiling wireclamp devices 30 to secure each wire 16 in place. A first ceiling wireclamp device 30 would be used to secure the wire 16 to the metal grid 12and a second ceiling wire clamp device 30 would be used to secure thewire 16 to the eyelet 18 (as shown in FIG. 1).

With respect to materials used for the ceiling wire clamp device 30,preferably the ceiling wire clamp device 30 is composed of metal or someother desired strong material that is capable of withstanding tensioncreated when the ceiling wire clamp device 30 is in the closed andlocked position (as best seen in FIG. 5).

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention For example, while the embodiments of the ceilingwire clamp device 30 as shown in FIGS. 2-7 consist of one piece, it maybe desired to form a ceiling wire clamp device 30 from two jaws 32 and34 that are separate components and that may be attached to one anotherat the first end 36 with a hinge or the like.

Statement of Operation

To use the ceiling wire clamp device 30 in the installation of asuspended ceiling system 10, a user would position an opened ceilingwire clamp device 30 so that a wire 16 and the first end 21 of the wire16 that had previously been inserted through eyelet 18 are interposedbetween jaws 32 and 34. (To secure wire 16 to the metal grid 12, a userwould position an opened ceiling %vre clamp device 30 so that the wire16 and the second end 23 of the wire 16 that had previously beeninserted through opening 20 are interposed between jaws 32 and 34.) Toclose the ceiling wire clamp device 30, the user would ensure that pin39 and slot 40, if provided, are properly aligned and then apply forcesimultaneously to J-shaped region 42 and reverse J-shaped region 44,until tab 46 has been completely inserted through slot 48 and the pin 39has been inserted through slot 40. To accomplish this, a user should beable to use a thumb and index finger. Once tab 46 has been insertedthrough slot 48 in this manner, a user would release the thumb and indexfinger, which would allow tab 46 to lock in place. The foregoingprocedure would be repeated as necessary until all wires 16 in asuspended ceiling system 10 have been secured in place.

If necessary, to release the ceiling wire clamp device 30, a tool, suchas a screwdriver or the like, may be used to force the tab back throughslot 48, which should open the ceiling wire clamp device 30.

Many possible applications can be used with the Ceiling Wire ClampDevice of this invention including, for example, clamping together twoceiling wires by themselves to provide a reliable clamping device tosecurely hold both ceiling wires.

1. A ceiling wire clamp device comprising, in combination: first andsecond jaws opposably attached to one another at an attachment point ata first end of the clamp device and adapted to grasp ceiling wirepositioned therebetween, wherein the first jaw and second jaw aremovable between a first open position and a second closed position;ceiling wire grasping members located on an inner surface of at leastone of the first and second jaws; and a fastener capable of securing thefirst and second jaws in the closed position.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the first and second jaws form substantially a V-shape at theattachment point.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and secondjaws form a one-piece assembly.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein: thefirst jaw has a first substantially flat and elongated region and asecond generally J-shaped region; and the second jaw has a firstsubstantially flat and elongated region and a second generally reverseJ-shaped region.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the grasping memberscomprise a plurality of teeth protruding from an inner surface of thefirst and second jaws.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the teeth on thefirst jaw are offset with the teeth on the second jaw in order to forman interlocking arrangement when the jaws are secured in the closedposition.
 7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pin protrudingfrom an inner surface of the first jaw, wherein the pin is adapted to beinserted through an opening in the second jaw when the jaws are securedin the second closed position.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein thefastener comprises a tab protruding from an outer surface of the firstjaw, wherein the tab is adapted to be inserted through a slot in thesecond jaw.
 9. A ceiling wire clamp device comprising, in combination:first and second jaws opposably attached to one another in substantiallya V-shape at an attachment point at a first end of the clamp device andadapted to grasp ceiling wire positioned therebetween, wherein: thefirst jaw and second jaw are movable between a first open position and asecond closed position; the first jaw has a first substantially flat andelongated region and a second generally J-shaped region; and the secondjaw has a first substantially flat and elongated region and a secondgenerally reverse J-shaped region; grasping means comprising a pluralityof teeth protruding from an inner surface of the first and second jaws,whereby ceiling wire may be held in position between the first andsecond jaws; and fastening means comprising a tab protruding from anouter surface of the first jaw, wherein the tab is adapted to beinserted through a slot in the second jaw, whereby the jaws may besecured in the closed position.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein thefirst and second jaws form a one-piece assembly.
 11. The device of claim9 wherein the teeth on the first jaw are offset with the teeth on thesecond jaw in order to form an interlocking arrangement when the jawsare secured in the closed position.
 12. The device of claim 9 furthercomprising a pin protruding from an inner surface of the first jaw,wherein the pin is adapted to be inserted through an opening in thesecond jaw when the jaws are secured in the second closed position. 13.A method for securing ceiling wire in a suspended ceiling systemcomprising the steps of: providing a ceiling wire clamp devicecomprising, in combination: first and second jaws opposably attached toone another at an attachment point at a first end of the clamp deviceand adapted to grasp ceiling wire positioned therebetween, wherein thefirst jaw and second jaw are movable between a first open position and asecond closed position; grasping means whereby ceiling wire may be heldin position between the first and second jaws; and fastening meanswhereby the jaws may be secured in the closed position; positioningceiling wire between the first and second jaws; and securing the clampdevice in the closed position.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thefirst and second jaws form substantially a V-shape at the attachmentpoint.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first and second jaws forma one-piece assembly.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein: the first jawhas a first substantially flat and elongated region and a secondgenerally J-shaped region; and the second jaw has a first substantiallyflat and elongated region and a second generally reverse J-shapedregion.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the grasping means comprisesa plurality of teeth protruding from an inner surface of the first andsecond jaws.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the teeth on the firstjaw are offset with the teeth on the second jaw in order to form aninterlocking arrangement when the jaws are secured in the closedposition.
 19. The method of claim 13 further comprising a pin protrudingtom an inner surface of the first jaw, wherein the pin is adapted to beinserted through an opening in the second jaw when the jaws are securedin the second closed position.
 20. The method of claim 13 whereinfastening means comprises a tab protruding from an outer surface of thefirst jaw, wherein the tab is adapted to be inserted through a slot inthe second jaw.